Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Programs Announced
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office ("CIPO") has announced that it has entered into further Patent Prosecution Highway ("PPH") pilot initiatives with their counterparts in Japan, Denmark and Korea.
Similar to the approach initiated between Canada and the United States in January, 2008, the PPH concept is intended to result in faster, more efficient patent examination by allowing patent offices to share work previously done by another country's patent office. During the trial period Applicants may request expedited examination under the PPH program free of charge (i.e. the Patent Rules, Schedule II fees will continue to apply).
The PPH trial period with the Japan Patent Office, Danish Patent and Trademark Office and Korean Intellectual Property Office (which commenced October 1, 2009) extends to September 30, 2011 with possible extensions available. (Incidentally, the PPH trial period with the United States has been extended to January 28, 2011)
Additional information regarding the PPH programs and the process to make a PPH request is available on the CIPO website.
